THE SAINTS are on the march.

While Southampton have reached next Saturday's FA Cup final, the Basingstoke Saints have completed another excellent season with a third consecutive promotion in the Basingstoke and District Sunday League after finishing champions in division four.

The side was formed in 1999 by a group of Saints supporters so, naturally, the team play in the club colours of red and white stripes.

In their first season, the kit was supplied by the Southampton club but today KAW Decorating are the shirt sponsors although the design remains the same.

Nick Kemp, manager of the club from the first season, takes up the story: "The team started when Kevin Oliver booked the Astroturf pitch at the Camrose and we just used to have a kick-around.

"Then we decided to put a team in the league and I took over as manager."

The club started in division five but were immediately relegated to division six. Since then, like their heroes, everything has been on the up and next season they will take their place in division three.

Kemp added: "We have got better every year and I have really enjoyed it."

As in the previous three years, Darren Purdy is the club's top scorer with over 40 goals so far this season.

For the first in their history, the club also have a reserve side who play in division five.

Kemp said: "They struggled at the start of the season, like we did in our first year, but have had an excellent end to the season - so everything bodes well."

The Saints are marching upwards!